Review

Emo bands are a dime a dozen nowadays, especially with the rising trend that’s been happening as of late. The thing with “new wave” emo bands is that certain of them try to emulate some of the greats and end up sounding very contrived and not very original. However, there are always those certain bands whom never try to take themselves too seriously and who’s charm manages to win me over just a little bit. Say hello to the UK’s Moose Blood, a self proclaimed group of “four friends drinking coffee and writing songs.”

Moose Blood is a four piece from Canterbury, England who have a knack for writing endearing songs with great melodies along with rudimentary, but charming lyrics that hold the listener by the ears and basically make you want to learn the lyrics and sing along at the top of your lungs. Their first official release, Moving Home, is a six-track EP that runs at about fifteen minutes, and that is all it takes. In fifteen minutes Moose Blood show the kind of potential they have with tracks like Moving Home, that start of with ear-catching melodies and rudimentary, but charming, lyrics. Songs like Evening Coffee start pounding your ears from the get-go. As childish as they may seem, the lyrics hold that ‘young and in love’ vibe that makes you relate and/or reminisce about that certain time in your life with a person who does or might have meant a lot to you at the time. Moose Blood also make sure to reference some of their influences within certain songs (i.e. Carbis Bay), although it is apparent who they’re influenced by (hint, hint. It’s American Football).

Carbis Bay does manage to stray from it’s subject matter at the end. It takes a darker tone lyrically and shows more personality than any of the other songs. “I remember ghost stories that my mother told to me walking hills at Carbis Bay, looking at the sea. I guess we’re not okay from all that time apart from when my father died, I don’t know where to start. How to start to feel ok.” It is during these moments on the EP that Moose Blood manages to show a little more individuality with the darker subject matter. It isn’t all about loss though. Songs like Drive also capture the depression within people under the influence of alcohol (the song takes a first person narrative), and their feelings of resentment towards bitter lovers and people in general who have treated others unfairly. “I think I’ve had one too many ’cause the floor seems awfully close. I’m so sick of this journey and I guess I should let you know, that I’m done and I don’t want to see your face again.”

Moose Blood don’t really break much ground within the emo genre with this EP, but they certainly solidify themselves as one of the up and coming bands in 2013 with it. There’s a bright future ahead of these guys with the potential they have shown on this short, fifteen minute long EP. Who knows what’s in store for this young band from the UK, but let’s wait and see what noise they can make within the genre with more EP’s or even a full length in the future.